Q22 / 150 · MHT CET 2025 (26 Apr Shift 1) · Chemistry

Which among the following salt turns blue litmus red in its aqueous solution?

  • Correct answer
    A
    $\mathrm{CuSO}_4$
  • B
    $\mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3$
  • C
    $\mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4$
  • D
    $\mathrm{NaNO}_3$

Solution

Identification of acidic salt

The salt that turns blue litmus red must yield an acidic aqueous solution through hydrolysis of its constituent ions.

Copper(II) sulfate ($\mathrm{CuSO4}$) dissociates into $\mathrm{Cu^{2+}}$ and $\mathrm{SO_4^{2-}}$ ions. The $\mathrm{Cu^{2+}}$ cation, being the conjugate acid of weak base $\mathrm{Cu(OH)_2}$, hydrolyzes:
$\mathrm{Cu^{2+} + 2H_2 O <=> Cu(OH)_2 + 2H+}$
This reaction produces hydrogen ions, acidifying the solution.

Sodium carbonate ($\mathrm{Na_2CO_3}$) yields basic solution due to $\mathrm{CO_3^{2-}}$ hydrolysis: $\mathrm{CO_3^{2-} + H_2 O <=> HCO_3- + OH-}$.

Sodium sulfate ($\mathrm{Na_2SO_4}$) and sodium nitrate ($\mathrm{NaNO_3}$) form neutral solutions as both ions derive from strong acid-base pairs and undergo negligible hydrolysis.

$\mathrm{CuSO_4}$ is the only salt producing acidic solution that turns blue litmus red.

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'A'.

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